Gov. Jerry Brown's approval rating climbs to high of 59%, poll finds

A Field Poll released Wednesday shows California Gov. Jerry Brown has the highest approval rating of his current term. Above, Brown speaks to reporters in February at Los Angeles City Hall.

A Field Poll released Wednesday shows California Gov. Jerry Brown has the highest approval rating of his current term. Above, Brown speaks to reporters in February at Los Angeles City Hall. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

SACRAMENTO -- Nearly 60% of registered voters approve of Gov. Jerry Brown's job performance, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The Field Poll found that Brown has a 59% approval rating among registered voters -- the highest marks the poll has found for the governor in this current term. Of those surveyed, 32% disapproved of the governor, while 9% of respondents had no opinion.

The poll provides good news for Brown's reelection bid: 57% of voters said they would support the governor if the June primary election were held now. Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of Twin Peaks came in second with 17%.

Among other Republican contenders, Laguna Hills Mayor Andrew Blount and former U.S. Treasury official Neel Kashkari received the support of 3% and 2%, respectively, of the voters.

Overall, 20% of voters are undecided in the June primary; that is even more pronounced among Republicans, 38% of whom have no opinion on the four main candidates.

Among likely voters, Brown has a 61% favorable rating and 35% unfavorable. Donnelly's ratings are more split: 26% of likely voters view him positively and 24% negatively, while 50% have no opinion.

The other Republican candidates are even more unknown to voters: 64% have no opinion of Kashkari and 71% hold no views on Blount.